Diabetes decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence that he submitted a formal or informal claim prior to December 21, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy with cataracts, ischemic heart disease, and memory loss have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's alleged herbicide exposure in Japan, and then to readjudicate his service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and coronary artery disease based on presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals were granted, with increased ratings for PTSD and ankle disabilities. The right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, but the effective dates for service connection of diabetic neuropathy in both lower extremities are being remanded.

The Veteran meets the threshold criteria for a TDIU under the percentage standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the limitations due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure or a nexus to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted it as secondary to a service-connected disability. Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus type II due to herbicide exposure during service, effective from September 1972 when the Veteran visited Vietnam. The right leg disability is not separately service connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for type II diabetes, which he claims is related to his military service. The case is REMANDED due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine the onset date of the diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diabetes mellitus is due to his herbicide exposure in service, and therefore grants service connection for type II diabetes mellitus. The hypertension claim will be remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining complete service personnel records and VA treatment records, verifying herbicide exposure in Thailand, and obtaining any relevant documents. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a combined effects medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in service and is denied.

The Veteran's upper extremity diabetic neuropathies are rated as 20 percent disabling, and his lower extremities are rated at 40 percent prior to November 14, 2015. The RO has granted a 40 percent rating for the lower extremities since that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hepatitis C due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure in Germany.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating or TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. The Board also notes that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II claim was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his diabetes mellitus and related conditions, including diabetic neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, have been denied. The claim for service connection for a colon condition has been reopened but remains denied.